disabuse
Free from error
To disabuse someone is to free them from a false belief or misconception: Let me disabuse you of that notion.
The word implies correcting an error the person has been laboring under, often one they've held confidently.
It's slightly formal and typically takes "of": She was quickly disabused of any romantic illusions about farm life.
Give facts to
- educateProvide formal instruction
- correctFree from error
- undeceiveCorrect a false belief
- explainMake something understood
clarify · reveal · expose · demonstrate · show · convince · persuade · counsel
Erroneous belief or understanding
- misunderstandingFailure to grasp meaning
- misbeliefFalse notion held true
- fallacyError in reasoning
- errorFault in communication
delusion · illusion · falsehood · untruth · misinterpretation · distortion · inaccuracy · myth
Accordance with reality
- realityWhat actually exists
- factsVerifiable pieces of truth
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- understandingMental comprehension of something
clarity · insight · revelation · realization · recognition · knowledge · illumination · comprehension
inform
Give facts to
explain · clarify · reveal · expose · demonstrate · show · convince · persuade · counsel · confront
misconception
Erroneous belief or understanding
- misunderstandingFailure to grasp meaning
- misbeliefFalse notion held true
- fallacyError in reasoning
error · delusion · illusion · falsehood · untruth · misinterpretation · distortion · inaccuracy · myth · prejudice
truth
Accordance with reality
understanding · clarity · insight · revelation · realization · recognition · knowledge · illumination · comprehension · discernment
- set straightcorrect, rectify, put right, straighten out, undeceive